Connecting mechanism



Jan- 30, 194@ LE ROY T. PEARsoN r-:r AL 2,188,308

CGNNECTING MECHANI SM Filed May 9, 1938 INVENTORS Le Rog T. Pearson ORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1940 Pern-:NT OFFICE CONNECTING .MECHANISM Le Roy T. Pearson and Frank M. Zimmerman,

Y Battle Creek, Mich.

Application May 9, 1988, serial No. 206,766 6 claims. (ci. 28s- 17)` The present invention relates broadly to connections for conductors of iiuids, and in its specic phases relates to an appliance connector with a valve which isfautomatically opened and closed by the connection and disconnection of the removable portion of the mechanism.

In the past a few attempts have been made to devise couplings of one type or another for use in conducting fluids such as compressed air, water under pressure, or the like. All of these devices have` one or more of the faults of being prone to leak, relatively complex, obstruct the free flow of fluid, depend upon high pressure 'of the fluid to aid in sealing 'the connection, use separately operable valves, which permits accidental turning on of the fluid while the coupling is disconnected, or have some other inherent fault.

Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a mechanism adapted to overcome or at least substantially mitigate .the faults of such prior art.

Another object of the present invention is the 4provision of a mechanism containing a valve which shuts off fluid iiow therethrough except 'when theremovable portion of the mechanism is in placeand at leastpartially turned to locking position.

Another object is to provide an automatic positively operated lock lfor holding the' partsof vthe mechanism in prescribedxedposition while use. i

Another object is to provide a mechanism which has van unobstructed passageway therethrough when the parts thereof are locked in place.`

\ Another object is `to provide means for increasing the gripping pressure on the sealing gasket as the removable rportion of the mechanism is turned to locking position. V

Another object is to provide the gasket contacting face of the removable portion of the mechanism with means for further aiding in making a leak-proof connection.

A further object is to provide a mechanism lwhich .is 4fluid tight under use in `vacuum systems,

as well as with both low and moderately high l pressure fluids, and yet which does not rely upon the pressure of the iiuid flowing therethrough for sealing against leakage t l A further object is to provide a mechanism wherein disconnection of same` automatically stops the ilow of fluid therethrough.

,A further object .is to.. provide a mechanism Ypermitting plugging in of flexible connectionsto appliances such as'those which use gas.

A still further object is to provide a mechanism which is safe to use in connection with poisonous fluids, such as fuel gas, and which is adapted for use in the installation and relocation of appliances, such as gas stoves, without requiring the presence of a mechanic to disconnect and `reconnect same.

related ends, the invention,` then', consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting t forth in detail certain means for carrying fout Ythe invention, such disclosed means illustrating,

however, but several of Various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

liigureA 1 shows a sectional view of one form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the mechanism as vewed from the right side of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the mechanism taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

VFigure 4 is a sectional View of a modiiied form oi the removable connector portion of the mechanism.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a modified form of the gasket gripping shoulder of the removable connector portion of the mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the body l of the mechanism is provided with a tat pered bore 2 into which a rotary sleeve valve 3 with corresponding taper is adapted to rotatably rit. The tapered bore 2 and tapered sleeve valve 3 may be in the form of a ground joint where it is desired to have a t of maximum tightness. Lengthwise of said valve is provided a'substantially centrally `located tubular passageway 4 which communicates at one end with the tubular passageway 5 through removable connector member '6. Through the side of said valve member 3 adjacent its 'other end is provided an lopening 'l which communicates with passageway 8 in the inlet portion 9 of body l. The opening 1 may be of various shapes, but for most purposes it is `preferable to make it in the form of a relatively narrow substantially rectangular passageway placed lengthwise of the sleeve valve 3. vThe passageway 8 is preferably formed at its upper .end into a substantially rectangular opening 8a which corresponds approximatelyin shape, size,

and location with opening 1 when the sleeve valve 3 is set in open position. The forming of openings 1 and 8a in this manner gives a satisfactory sealing overlap when the valve is given a quarter turn to close same. The body I of the mechanism is preferably closed at the small end of its tapered bore 2 and open at the other end to permit the insertion of the rotary sleeve valve 3. The inner circumference of the body I' at its open end is preferably threaded to receive an externally threaded sleeve I0. This sleeve may be provided with conventional means for screwing same into place where it will hold the rotary sleeve valve 3 tightly in position, and yet permit same to be rotated. To provide for adjustment, reduce friction, and compensate for wear, a washer 3l) of appropriate thickness may be used between the adjacent ends of sleeve Il! and valve 3. A suitable means for facilitating the screwing of sleeve I in place consists of small recessed lopenings II adapted for engagement by a spanner wrench (not shown). The threads l2 by i which sleeve III engages body I may be made to t tightly and hence prevent rotation of sleeve I0 except when a wrench is used. If desired, how- Y ever, screws I3 may be used to lock sleeve Il) in place after it has been screwed in to the desired position.

The outer circumference of body I at the open end thereof is preferably provided with threads I4 adapted to engage corresponding internal threads on a suitable connector receiving member which, for instance, may be in the form of a floor or wall plate I5. The wall plate I5 in addivtion to being bored and threaded for attachment to body I by means of threads I4 thereon, is also concentrically bored lengthwise to the outer end thereof at a smaller diameter, yet one which is substantially larger than the inner diameter of sleeve I 0. This construction leaves a shoulder 29, joining the two bores of plate I5, which is adapted to press throughout against the face of a suitable gasket I5 when plate I5 is screwed into place onthreads I4 of body I. Gasket I6 is preferably made from compressible material such as rubber and in the form of a disc having an inner diameter approximately the same as the bore of sleeve I0, and an outer diameter permitting it to t the large bore of the plate I5. The outer endy of plate I5 is provided with suitable means 'for engaging connector and such means in one preferred form consists of notched openings I1 (Figure 2) which extend inward parallel to the bore of `plate I5 and connect with spiral slots I8 (Figures 1 and 2) The connector member 6 is provided at its outer endwith a suitable means, such as serrations I9, for use in connecting same to a suitable hose or 'the like (not shown). The opposite end of connector 6 is provided with clutch projections 20 adapted to engage suitably located slots 2| in the end of rotary vsleeve valve 3. The point of each clutch projection is preferably tapered to facilitate the entry thereof into a corresponding slot 2l. The connector member 6 is machined so that it will closely and rotatably fit the bore of sleeve I 0 and inner diameter of gasket I6, and adjacent to such portion it is machined to a larger diameter adapted to fit the bore of plate I5, the shoulder22 of connector member 6 being adapted to seal against the side of gasket I6. On the outer face of said portion fitting the bore of plate I5 are placed 'short thread members adapted to tion of the bore of plate I5. One of the many constructions of this nature consists of projections 23 on connector member 6 adapted to pass through notched openings I1 (Figure 2) and engage spiral slots I8 in plate I5. The passage of projections 23 through openings I1 followed by clockwise rotation, as viewed in Figure 2, will cause connector member 6 to move to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, and force shoulder 22 into sealing engagement with gasket I6. The shoulder 22 may be perfectly smooth if desired, but a better seal will be effected where the shoulder is corrugated as is shown at 22a in Figure 5. With either construction a double seal is accomplished where the inner diameter of gasket I6 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the portion of connector member 6 which ts the inner boreof sleeve I (l. Under these conditions a seal is had with shoulder 22 against Ythe side of gasket I6, and at the same time the pressing of shoulder 22 against the gasket I6 forces same to radially grip connector member 6 and effect the second l with suitable means for disengaging locking dogf from holding projection 23 and thus permit rotation' and removal of connector member 6.

One convenient way that this may be accomplished is to bend the free end of the spring arm 24 upward to form a hook 28 which may be readily gasped to elevate locking dog 25 out of locking engagement.

The connector member 6 may be of straight form, as is shown in Figure l, or of other convenient shape, for instance of the curved form shown in Figure 4. The latter construction is eX- ceptionally convenient'for use in connecting a flexiblehose or the like where the line of approach of same lis in line with the turned end of the connector Ga.

The'mechanism is assembled in the following 'manners-The rotary sleeve valve 3 is first coated `bore 2 of body I of the mechanism. Space Washer is inserted and sleeve I Il is then screwed into place to hold rotary sleeve valve 3 tightly in positionl and yet permit rotation of same. Where locking screws I3 are used, these are then tightened to prevent sleeve IU from rotating. ,Plate I5 with gasket I5 is then screwed into place with notched openings I1 in proper location for thel operation of the mechanism. Connector member 6 is then passed endwise through the open end of plate I5 until clutch projections 20 engage slots 2| and projections 23 pass through notched openings I1 to the starting end of spiral slots I8. In this position the rotary sleeve valve 3has its opening Tout of alignment with passageway B in inlet portion 9 of body I. The rotation of connector member 6 through the coaction of projections 23 with spiral slots I8 moves connector member 6 inwardly to make a tight fitting seal between its shoulder 22 and gasket IS. At the same time the rotation of connector member 6 through the Contact of clutch projections 20 with slots 2| in rotary sleeve valve 3 causes the latter to rotate and bring opening 1 therein into alignment with passageway 8, complete alignaressos menta preferablyfbeing attainedy when projections 2`3 are' turne'dto theenel?y ofi their' travels' in. Aspiral slots I8'. One of the projections'. 23? as it approches the end'of` spiral slot' irwill contact the sloping-facci?! of locking dog 25and cause same to rise. When projection2f3`passes locking dog 25, the spring tension of"` spring arm 2-4will force the" locking dog 25 downwardy toy lockv connector member. 6 against' returnlrotation'until locking dog 25 is' raisedthrcugh `the agency'of. handle 28 jor' the' equivalent.

Having the mechanism thusl assembled, it is readyfor installation at the. point of use with inletportion 9 connectedv toa suitable piping system orthe like, and removableconnector Biastened` toV a suitable length flexible hose" or the equivalent which. supplies uid to apoint of use.

Where the mechanismis to be used :in theihome or: other' location for `facilitating the` delivery of gasto a gas appliance such as a vgas plate, gas

stove, gas refrigerator, orthe like, the fixed part of the mechanism' is.` connected to the gasline while the. removable connector `member `6 is mourrted on a suitable exible hose connected to the gas appliance. This permits the plugging irI-of the gas appliance at will inequivalent man'- ner to the connecting of: anelectric appliance to a sourcel ofi electricity through the use of a suitablefelectriccord and wall outlet. The plugging in ofuconnector member 5 and rotation to lock sameautomaticallyturns'on the gas'. To `disconneet the gasappliancethe locking dog 25f`is released and connector member 6 rotated and removed. Thisaction not only disconnects the appliancebut also results in the automatic rotation offsleeveY valve3 so as to shut ofttherlow of gas. l

Other modesof applying the `principle of our invention maybe employedinstead of' those explained, change' being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, prcvided'the means stated by any'of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated meansbeemployed.

We therefore particularlv"pointV out and distinctlyV claimias our invention:

1. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination which comprises a body member having ,a suitable bore withan" inlet and an outlet, a sleeve valve rotatably tting said bore and having openings adapted to cooperate with said inlet and outlet of the body member, a means for engaging the outlet end of said body member, a gasket between said engaging means and said body member, `a tunneled connector member adapted to pass throughsaid means engaging said body member, means on the adjacent ends of said sleeve valve and said connector member which cooperate in manner such that rotative movement of the latter may be used to open and close said valve, and means on said connector member and on said body engaging member for coacting in moving said connector member endwise into sealing engagement with said gasket when said connector member is suitably rotated.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination which comprises a body member having a tapered bore with an inlet adjacent the small end of said bore and an outlet substantially concentric with said bore at the large end thereof, a-correspondingly tapered sleeve valve rotatably fitting said bore and having a passageway with openings adapted to cooperate with said inlet and outlet of the body portion, the bore of said body portion being of-a size permitting the insertion and removal of the sleeve valve therefrom at the end thereof adjacent` the large end` off the tapered bore, meanswfor` normally holding said sleeve valve substantially fixed against endwise movementbut permitting rotation4 thereof, means for engaging the outlet end of,` saidrbody member, a disc shapegasket, said gasketbeinggripped in place between said means for engagingthe outlet end of the bodymember on one side andsaid body member and meansfor holding the sleeve valve'on the other, a tunneled connector member adapted to pass through said bcdyengaging member and sleeve valve holding member and `rotatably fit same, a shoulder on said connector member for contacting a portion of the face of said gasket opposite said sleeve valve holding means, means on the ends of said sleeve valve and saidV connector member which cooperate in manner such that rotative movementof the latter may be used to open and close said valve', and means on said connector member and on saidfbody engaging `member for coacting in moving said connector member endwise and bringingisaid shoulder on the connecting member intoy sealing.. engagement with said gasket when said connector member is inserted in place and suitably rotated.

3. In a connectingV mechanism for conductors of fluids, the combination which comprises a bodymember having a'tapered bore portion with an outlet at oneend and an inlet adjacent the valve rotatably fitting said bore and having a passageway with openings adapted to cooperate with said outlet and inlet of the body portion, a sleevethreadecllyengaging the inner bore of the openend of said body member and adapted to holdsaid sleeve valve against endwise movement andyet permit same to be rotated, a flanged member threadedly engaginglthe openv end of said body member, said flanged member being bored concentrically `with said sleeve but' at a substantially larger diameter, a disc shape gasket having an inner opening substantially the same size as the bore of said sleeve, and an outer diameter approximately the same as the threaded diameter of saidiianged member, saidV gasket beingfgrippedlin'place between sa'id flanged memberl on :one side and said bodyfmember and sleeve onthefother, a tunneledlremovable connector member adapted to pass through said flanged member and said sleeve, clutch projections on the end of said connector member-adapted to engage suitable slots in the end of said sleeve valve for rotating same, said connector member being of a diameter at its inner end adapted to t in the bore of said sleeve, and adjacent thereto being of a larger diameter adapted vto t'the bore of said flanged member, a shoulder at the junction of the two diameters of said connector member and means on said flanged member for coacting in moving said connector member endwise and bringing said shoulder into sealing engagement with said gasket when said connector mem ber is suitably rotated.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination which comprises a body member having a suitable bore with an inlet and an outlet, a sleeve valve rotatably tting `said bore and having openings adapted to cooperate with said inlet and outlet of the body member, means for holding said sleeve valve vagainst yendwise movement but permitting rotation thereof, a means for engaging the outlet end of said body member, a gasket between said outlet engaging means on one side and the body member and sleeve valve .other end, a correspondingly tapered sleeve 'holding meanson theotherv side, a'tunneled lcon- -n'ector memberV adapted tolpassthroughsaidsleeve valve holding meansl and'isaid means engaging the bodymember, clutch projections on the end ofsaid connector memberadapted -to engage suitable slotsv intheend of said sleeve valve for rotating same, a shoulder on said connector member, means on said connector member and on said'body engaging member for coacting in moving said connectory member endwise and bringing said shouder into sealing engagement with said gasket when said connector member is suitably rotated, and Vmeans for locking said connector in sealing engagementtwith said gasket.

5.` In a mechanism; of the character described, the combination which Vcomprises a body memrber having a suitable bore with inlet and outlet, a sleeve valve rotatably fitting said bore and having openings adapted to Acooperate with said inlet and outlet openings of the body member, means within said body member and adjacent the outlet end thereof for holdingv said sleeve valve against endwise movement, a means for engaging the loutlet end of said' body member, a 'gasket between said'outlet engaging means on one side and the body member and sleeve valve locking means on the other side, a tunneled removable connecter member :adapted to pass through said means engaging said body member 'member is suitably rotated, the opposite side of said gasketl from the point of engagement with the shoulderV of said connector memberibeing supported by the end of saidl sleeve valve locking means, and all of the parts so asembled that they .are removable from the outlet end of said body f member.

6. A connecting mechanism for conductors of fluids, which consists of a body member having a tapered bore portion with only two openings,

said openings being in the form of an outlet at member.

`one end .ofthe body member and an inlet adjacent th'e other end thereof, a correspondingly Vtapered vsleeve valve rotatably fitting said bore and having .a passageway with openings adapted to cooperate with said outlet'and inlet of the body portion, a sleeve threadedly engaging the inner bore of the open end of said' body member and adapted` to hold said sleeve valve against endwise movement and yet permit same to be rotated, a member threadedly engaging the outside of the outlet end of said body member, said body engagengaging member on one side and said body member and sleeve on the other, a tunneled removable connector member adapted to pass through said body engaging member and said sleeve, means on the end of said connector member adapted to engage suitablemeans on the end of said 'sleeve valve for rotating same, said connector member being of a diameter at its inner end adapted to t in the bore of said sleeve which holds the sleeve valve against endwise movement, and adjacent thereto being of a larger diameter adapted to t the bore of said body engaging member, a shoulder at the junction of the two diameters of said connector member, said shoulder having .a corrugatedV face for sealing engagement with saidgasket, and means on said connector member. and on said body engaging member for coacting in moving said connector member endwise and bringing said shoulder into sealing engagement with said gasket when said connector member is suitably rotated, and means for releasably lockingsaid 'connector member after same has been'rotated to iinal sealing enengagement position, said sleeve valve, means for holding the sleeve. valve'against endwise movement, and allied parts all being releasable and removable from the outlet Aend of said body LE ROY '1'. PEARsoN.

f FRANK M. znn/iERMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION n Patent No. 2,188,508 January 50, 19LLO.

1E ROY T. PEARSON, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1 second column, line 25, for "vewed" read viewed; page 5, second column, line 59, claim 5, after "member" insert a comma; line 60, same claim, after "said" insert connector member and on said; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform toV the record of the case` in the Patent Office .4

sighed and sealed this 19th day of March, A. D.- 191,0.

Henry Van -Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner 'of- Patents. 

